Silence for tsunami victims at Grand Final

One minute of silence will be observed before tomorrow’s Hyundai A-League 2011 Grand Final in respect to the victims of the tsunami in Japan, Football Federation Australia announced today.

One minute of silence will be observed before tomorrow-s Hyundai A-League 2011 Grand Final in respect to the victims of the tsunami in Japan, Football Federation Australia announced today.

The silence will be observed before the kickoff of the match between Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane at 4pm local time (5pm AEDT).

FFA was yesterday working with local charity groups with the aim of organizing a collection at the match for a tsunami relief fund.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley said he had today spoken with his counterpart from the Japanese Football Association to offer support and assistance.

“This terrible event has shocked us all and I wanted the JFA to know that the thoughts of the entire Australian football community were with them at this time,” Mr Buckley said.

“We are ready to provide any support and assistance they require and will work together in every way we can during and after this difficult time.”

Mr Buckley said FFA was contacting all Australian football players in Japan to make sure they were safe and had all of the assistance they required.

“This disaster has touched quite a few of our players but so far we believe all of them are safe,” Mr Buckley said.

“We have also been in contact with the Asian Football Confederation and it has been decided that Sydney FC-s AFC Asian Champions League away match against Kashima Antlers in Japan on Tuesday will be postponed.

“The match will be rescheduled and an announcement of the new date and venue will be made soon.”

Only a few hundred, mostly single tickets remain on sale for tomorrow-s decider.

Iconic Brisbane band Regurgitator will open the Hyundai A-League 2011 Grand Final with a 15-minute, four song set prior to the kick-off.

Series five Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci will sing the National Anthem minutes before kick-off backed by the National Girls Choir of Australia.

The Hyundai A-League 2011 Grand Final will be broadcast into Asia, New Zealand, North America and England on BSkyB with special guest host and former Qantas Socceroo, Sydney FC player and assistant coach Tony Popovic.